That means often they would have to wait for months to send animals to a small local processor or ship their cattle out of state for processing, losing part of their profit to transportation costs.

The group’s initial proposal for a 50,000-head commercial processing facility was scaled back last year.

Madison County Industrial Development Agency Executive Director Kipp Hicks said the proposal now includes three phases, starting with a custom butchering operation and community-supported agriculture operation for meat that could get started early next year.

“They want to get the marketing and distribution down first,” he said. “They’ve known all along that there is a need for this. But they need to able to sell it.”

The facility, now known as Side Hill Farms, would expand within five years to a 5,000-head small-scale, processing plant.

The third phase would be the commercial processing facility – a $20 million plant that could handle 50,000 animals.

The group wants to brand and sell its locally grown beef in area supermarkets.

In addition to creating a regional presence in Central New York, the marketing plan also calls for tapping into the New York City market.

“People want to know where their food comes from,” Hicks said.

The local brand would offer more than hamburger, steak and roasts; marinated meat, sausages, hot dogs and even meatballs are planned.